Resources

The Office of Counseling Services (OCS) provides a range of services to address the mental health needs of the student body and university community. Specifically:

Individual and group counseling for students
Consultation with students, faculty and staff, and parents
Outreach programming
Crisis response

Students seek assistance for several reasons, including, among others:

Stress
Loneliness
Anxiety or depression
Substance use and abuse
Lack of concentration
Poor eating habits
Academic difficulties
Difficulty adjusting to new surroundings
Relationship problems

OCS is committed to maintaining a safe and comfortable place for students to talk about their concerns – a place where you can not only be understood and respected but also encouraged and challenged.

Their staff of dedicated mental health professionals is devoted to providing the highest quality of counseling services to the campus community.

Services Offered

All currently enrolled, full-time students are eligible for OCS services at no charge. OCS staff adhere to professional ethical standards and all state and federal laws regarding confidentiality. Services include:

Consultation with any member of the Christopher Newport community – students, staff, faculty and parents – who have questions about him or herself or others
Counseling - brief individual and group counseling for any currently enrolled student
Emergencies - OCS works closely with University Police and other offices in emergency situations that require crisis response. Counselors are available 24 hours a day to respond to psychological emergencies. *If you are experiencing a life-threatening or medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention, please contact University Police at (757) 594–7777.
Medication - The office works collaboratively with a consulting psychiatrist who can prescribe medication when needed.
Outreach - OCS provides a variety of outreach services, including presentations and programming on many topics, including:
- Depression and anxiety
- Working with groups and teams
- Relationships
- Sexual assault prevention and awareness
- Stress management
- Alcohol
- Communication skills
Sexual Assault Response Services - staff members work together with University Police and Health and Wellness Services to offer information, support and counseling for students who have been sexually assaulted.